Who is Morin Music Studio?

Music is our passion. At Morin Music Studio our programs are dedicated solely to musical education, training and all of the joy that it can bring to our lives.

We began as a a collective of professional classical musicians offering lessons throughout Calgary, Alberta and have grown to become one of Calgary’s leading musical education centres.

Our program and philosophy are unique

The foundation of our programs is rooted in developing the whole child and their joy of learning. The discipline of studying music cultivates values and learning habits that will continue to benefit our students in whatever they choose to pursue in their lives, while also unlocking the powerful language of music.

Meet Our Team

Carmen Morin

Owner/Executive Director – Piano

Dr. Geoff Wilson

Program Director – Piano, Guitar

Charles Foreman

Senior Instructor – Piano

Dan Morin

Senior Instructor – Piano

Stella Arcega

Office Manager

Jaewon Ahn

Cello, Piano

Yunfan Bai

Piano, Suzuki – Piano

Heather Byford

Piano, Voice

Subin Choi

Violin

Sherry Ebnjalal

Piano

Jocelyn Francescut

Voice, Piano

Joanna Franson

Piano

Ian Fundytus

Voice

Emily Haug

Piano, Theory and History

Mila Hayes

Piano

Evan Hiltermann

Guitar

Rachel Kreyner

Piano, Theory and History

Devin Kwok

Piano, Clarinet

Elizabeth Misutka

Junior Instructor – Piano, Voice

Katrina Lee

Piano, Crescendo Kids

Heather Natividad

Piano, Voice

Emily Nelson

Piano

Joshua Park

Violin

Jaci Simpson

Guitar, Trombone

Eileen Tria

Piano, Voice

Kyoichi Tsutsui

Piano

“Our children have received excellent music instruction at Morin Music Studio. Thanks to the wonderful teachers, our kids have a love of music and a strong musical background which they will enjoy for their whole lives.”

~Geeta T., Mom of Kevin and Alix

“We enrolled our daughter in Suzuki ECE when she was 7 months old and she has continued into Crescendo kids as she has aged. The structured nature of the classes have taught her discipline and patience as well as nurtured her appreciation for music. Through repetition she has learned many songs and loves playing the instruments. She started off shy and unsure but her confidence continues to grow with each class. She comes home from music class and is excited to teach her stuffed animals what she has learned that week!”

~Tam H., Mom of Quinn

“As parents, there are many criteria to consider when we chose a piano teacher for our children: qualification, personality, teaching philosophy or approach, track record, studio environment, and so on.

All of the above are key to cultivate children’s solid piano fundamental skills and develop their love of music. We believe music helps children’s emotional and behaviour development. After the first interview with Carmen, we were certain we found the right teacher and transferred our children here. Now our two boys have successfully finished the third year in the studio and we are happy we made the right decision.

It is quite easy to find a teacher who is patient and always praise the student for their progress or a teacher who is rigorous about achieving high standard and targets, but it is not easy to find a teacher like Carmen who has both of the attributes. She will ensure the students not only have fun but also accomplish any goal they set for themselves.”

~Jing and Dahai D., Parents of Alex and Steven

“My daughters have been students at Morin Music for the past year and we are absolutely thrilled with the experience. They both countdown to the day of their class each week and have so much fun there. My only regret is not starting them even earlier. The studio is bright, beautiful and welcoming and the instructors are playful, genuine, and effective at teaching the kids in a way that resonates with them. I look forward to having my girls continue to learn and develop their musical literacy. I would recommend Morin Music Studio to anyone looking for quality musical instruction”

~Sandy G., Mom of Emaan and Aikam

“Our three children have been students at Morin Music Studio for the past 4 years. We are absolutely thrilled with how much they have learned and how they have grown as musicians!

The teachers at Morin Music Studio are professional and very knowledgeable. They strive for excellence with their students and we have been amazed at the growth each of our children has shown over the time they have been there. We thoroughly enjoy the recitals that the Studio puts on and are so proud of watching our children perform with confidence and skill.

Morin Music Studio is an exceptional experience and we feel grateful to be a part of it!”

Elizabeth Mitsuka – Junior Instructor – Piano, Voice

Elizabeth Misutka is a Calgary-based aspiring Musical Theatre performer. She began piano at the age of 3 and began singing and dancing shortly after. Her piano studies began in the classical stream with Elizabeth Rebozo and later Matthew Blackburn. She is currently completing both her grade 10 Royal Conservatory in both Piano and Voice with Charles Foreman and Michelle Minke respectively. With her long term goals to achieve her BA in Musical Theatre, Elizabeth is passionate about teaching and firmly believes that anyone can learn to play and enjoy music. In her spare time she enjoys running, reading, classic cinema and playing with her two dogs.

Jaewon Ahn – Cello, Piano

Jaewon Ahn was born in Korea where she pursued her passion for music since the age of nine. She has won several competitions in Korea, among them, the prestigious Strad competition. In 2004, she moved to Calgary, Canada and began her studies with John Kadz at the Mount Royal Conservatory. As the recipient of Barbara Wanner Scholarship, she has consistently won numerous competitions in Canada including the Canadian Music Competition and the Frank Simpson Concerto competition where she was featured twice as a soloist performing the Rococo Variation and the Dvorak Concerto.

Jaewon has participated in numerous solo and chamber music festivals regularly over the years including the Banff Chamber Music Residency, Banff International Music Festival, Orford Arts Centre Festival/Orchestra, Great Mountains Music Festival, Montecito International Music Festival, the Young Artists Program in Ottawa and the Morningside Music Bridge. Jaewon has performed extensively throughout Europe, North America, China and Korea collaborating with many of acclaimed artists such as Lynn Harrell, Andres Diaz, Roberto Diaz, Ignace Jang, Parry Karp, and Chee-Yun Kim. An avid chamber and orchestral musician, she has worked with world-class artists such as Lawrence Lesser, Pieter Wispelwey, Jian Wang, Donald Weilerstein, Paul Katz, Ron Leonard, Axel Strauss, Steven Dann, Mark Steinberg and Wolfgang Redik.

Her piano trio, Trio Armonioso was formed at McGill university in 2015. They garnered immediate success, winning the Schulich Chamber Music competition in December 2015. The group has been invited to perform in various concert series including McGill’s Café Concert Series as well as a residency and performances at the Mozarteum’s 2016 Chamber Music Festival in Salzburg, Austria.

Comfortable sharing her talents beyond the stage, Jaewon was selected to perform on national television with Finger Eleven at the Juno Awards in 2008. Later that year, she was also featured in the Canada’s Rising Star Concert series. Then in 2011, she had the privilege to perform at TEDxSMU, an award-winning non-profit conference focused on sharing ideas of technology, entertainment and design.

In Oct 2017, Jaewon will graduate from McGill’s Schulich school of Music under the tutelage of Brian Manker, the principal cellist of the OSM. Her previous teachers include Natasha Brofsky at the New England Conservatory and Andres Diaz at SMU where she has received the Artist Diploma in 2012.

Evan Hiltermann – Guitar

Evan Hiltermann began playing guitar in his early childhood. Although his interests began with rock and contemporary styles he would soon shift his studies to classical guitar, inspired by his Grandfather who was a musician who performed with several orchestras.

His classical guitar studies began in Cochrane with Martin Russell, which later led to pursuing music in his post-secondary education. Evan is a graduate of the Bachelor of Music programat Ambrose University, where he studied under the tutelage of both Brad Mahon and Murray Visscher.

Evan is highly experienced teaching and performing many styles of guitar music, although he believes in establishing a strong musical foundation and understanding as well as focusing on classical guitar and technical proficiency.

His broad musical studies and interests include theory, history and composition, and he has enjoyed performing both as a soloist as well as in ensembles in concert as well as for private functions. As well as his guitar studies, Evan also enjoys playing banjo, bass guitar, and acoustic guitar. A versatile musician, Evan performs in everything from various church and summer camp/retreat groups, to jazz ensembles for private events and local jazz festivals.

Evan has experience working with students of all ages, from young children, teens and adults. He looks forward to sharing his love of music with his students of all ages and skill levels.

Kyoichi Tsutsui – Piano

Pianist Kyoichi Tsutsui began his musical studies at the age of 6 years old. A student of Johanna Kwan in his early studies, he enjoyed a strong affection for music as a beginner and would successful reach the advanced level through the Royal Conservatory of Music in his training.

With a firm belief in ongoing education development, Kyoichi continues his ongoing studies under Canadian pianist Derek Zhi Guang Chiu. While also maintaining repertoire at the ARCT level, Kyoichi has a passion for teaching that has led him to receive his Elementary Piano Pedagogy certification with the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Kyoichi strongly believes that learning different instruments and musical styles can significantly change the way you approach music and continues his exploration of various instruments outside of his formal piano study. He was able to receive the opportunity to travel with his school orchestra performing violin in both Canada and Europe, and also continues to enjoy playing guitar in a professional band performing in the Calgary area.

Believing in the benefit of a wide variety of interests and experience, Kyoichi nurtures many activities. A current student at the University of Calgary, majoring in Mechanical Engineering he will soon continue his musical studies at the post-secondary level as well. He also enjoys are skiing, motorsports, soccer, and boxing.

Kyoichi’s teaching philosophy is to prioritize the understanding and enjoyment of music. Playing and skill development is essential, but he believes that by having a strong foundation in deeper understanding of music can motivate each student to pursue their own unique musical goals! He believes that understanding music is something that will make you enjoy and appreciate it forever, no matter what your future studies may be.

Eileen Tria – Piano, Voice

Having first begun piano lessons at the age of 4, Eileen values the incredible impact music has had on her life. Classically trained in piano under the tutelage of Zuzana Gabor, a highly reputable music teacher from Slovakia, Eileen has a love for music and a passion for sharing this enthusiasm with her students.

As a piano student, Eileen was recognized for her ability early on as a competitive performer throughout Ontario. Regularly recognized for her achievements, she successfully graduated to the Advanced Level through the Royal Conservatory of Toronto in piano, then would later pursue classical vocal training and is experienced in Suzuki teaching philosophies for young piano beginners as young as age 3.

With piano and voice as her main disciplines, Eileen’s love for music extends to any instrument she can get her hands on – including drums, guitar and ukulele. In her post-secondary studies, Eileen studied in the Music Therapy program at the University of Windsor which gave her the opportunity to hone her skills as a musician as well as a greater appreciation for the invaluable role that music can play in people’s lives.

Born and raised in the small town of Bradford, Ontario, Eileen has decided to start the next chapter of her life in Calgary and is thrilled to continue her teaching career with Morin Music Studio. With nearly a decade of teaching experience, Eileen writes of her teaching philosophy:

“First and foremost is to put students first. I have such a love for music and my goal is to pass that down to all of my students. Whether the student is interested in classical training, contemporary, songwriting, or whatever else, I strive to adapt my lessons to best suit the individual student’s learning style and interests while still developing their full musical potential.My hope is that everyone, both young and old, be able to experience the same joy I feel when they are playing or singing. Music has so many qualities to it and I think that’s what makes it so exciting to people – no matter what genre they like or musical ability they possess. Knowing my students leave my classroom with a greater knowledge and appreciation for piano, voice, and music altogether has been the most rewarding experience.”

Jaci Simpson – Guitar, Trombone

Jaci returned to her hometown of Calgary in 2005, after competing a bachelor of music degree at the University of Toronto.

Since returning, she has been teaching multiple instruments and styles with a preference for classical guitar, and music fundamentals.

Jaci has studied guitar with Jeffrey McFadden in Toronto, and Ralph Maier in Calgary. She has also performed and recorded with the University of Calgary guitar ensemble.

Previous performing credits include the Calgary Youth Orchestra, University of Calgary Symphonic Band, University of Toronto Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, as well as various chamber and solo performances.

Jaci enjoys teaching all ages and levels, and believes that every student is capable, given individualized instruction.

Subin Choi – Violin

Subin Choi began her violin studeis at the age of five, first under the tutelege of Craig Hutchenreuther and later with Edmond Agopian. Advancing in her studies as a young musician, she was a member of both the Calgary Youth Orchestra and later with the Calgary Civic Symphony Orchestra.

Although her musical training was focused mainly in Calgary, this brought her many opportunities to study in such prestigious programs as McGill University’s performance clinics with Andrew Beer where she developed her abilities both as a soloist as well as member of an ensemble. Ms. Choi served as concertmaster of Whistler Con Brio Music Festival, Harrogate International Youth Festival of Music in England in summers of 2013‐2015. In addition, she is the violinist in residence at Knox Presbyterian Church since 2010.

As a violinist, she enjoys a diverse range of performance experience. Subin performs at private functions, collaborative events, and is active in the Calgary community by volunteers at senior homes. Subin is currently a member of University of Calgary Orchestra and currently completing her Bachelor of Music degree and studying with Joan Barrett.

As an experienced and enthusiastic educator, Subin brings passion to the instrument that she loves to share with her students. Drawing from her many experiences performing for audiences large and small, Subin most enjoys sharing guidance and methods with her students to allow them to not only advance in their studies but to ensure that they enjoy the process as well!

Joshua Park – Violin

Joshua Park started the violin and the age of eight years old and he studied with Erno Kabok at the British Columbia Conservatory of Music School. As a student, Joshua excelled and received recognition in British Columbia’s musical community. As well as being recognized in his local festivals and competitions, he was one of few students selected to perform in the Tom Lee Festival honours performances, and was selected with scholarship to the Surrey Symphony Youth Orchestra conducted by Lucille Lewis. He would later serve as concertmaster with this orchestra.

In 2002, Joshua moved to Calgary to study with Cenek Vrba, who was the concertmaster of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Joshua was admitted into the academy program at Mount Royal University conservatory and he eventually pursued a diploma in music performance. During these years, he had the privilege of studying with many great coaches and guest artists. One of his favorite chamber coaches was Nick Pulos, who had great impact on his studies. Joshua continued his studies in Music Performance with Edmond Agopian at the University of Calgary and received his Bachelors of Music. He was a member of both Mount Royal Youth Orchestra and University of Calgary Orchestra.

In 2013, Joshua was appointed as head music director for the Korean War Concert held at Jack Singer Concert Hall where he performed his own solo composition and played with the concert’s chamber orchestra.

Today, Joshua is a member of the Civic Symphony Orchestra and also plays with the Calgary Arts Orchestra. He freelances at weddings, church, corporate events, and parties. He has played live on air for Calgary’s station 101.5 Kool FM and also played live on CTV morning channel as a representative of the Civic Symphony Orchestra.

In his teaching, Joshua is an avid teacher and is passionate about sharing his experiences with his students. He is experienced working with students of all ages and levels in both private and semi-private instruction, and is knowledgable on various learning techniques and schools of teaching in violin. His students successfully participate in Royal Conservatory Examinations as well as local festivals, and he believes that everyone can learn and enjoy the violin with hard work and dedication.

Emily Nelson – Piano

Emily started piano lessons at the age of seven having been inspired by her older sibling’s musical abilities. In those early years, she loved how music could be used to connect with others and enjoyed playing duets and trios with her siblings. From there, Emily’s passion for music grew with each festival performance or RCM examination.

Acquiring her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from The King’s University, Emily has a passion for inspiring her students to develop a deep appreciation of music. She strives to equip her students to skillfully create music on their own as well as with others. While in University, Emily’s studies involved composition, piano pedagogy, and opportunities as a collaborative and solo pianist. Emily has received high marks in RCM practical and theoretical examinations. The St. Albert Rotary Music Festival, the Edmonton Kiwanis Festival, and the Stony Plain Festival are just a few of the competitions she has won awards at for piano performance.

Emily aims to teach music in a fun and approachable way while also passing on invaluable life lessons to her students. She also seeks to enable her students to effectively express themselves through music. Part of the fun of teaching for Emily is discovering the uniqueness of student and their learning style in order to provide a customized learning experience in each lesson.

Heather Natividad – Piano, Voice

Heather Natividad began her musical training at the age of 4 years old in classical Piano, Organ and Voice. Coming from a very musical family, Heather quickly showed natural talent and a love of music and performing.

During her young studies, Heather’s training was mainly classical as a student of the United Conservatory. She was very active in Calgary’s musical community as a performer and in competitive festivals, and regularly received top honors in both disciplines of piano and voice.

As a vocalist, Heather was the 1997 Top-Prize Winner of the Calgary Stampede Talent Search, and would later finish as Top Vocalist Nationwide in the 1998 National Exhibition and Fair Talent Search.

Her teachers have included Brian Farrell, Miguel Wilcox and Tom Bridges, as well as Malcolm Edwards and Donald Bell while completing her undergraduate degrees at the University of Calgary. As an educator with over 11 years of private teaching experience in both piano and voice, Heather has also been a full-time instructor of Choral and Instrumental programs with the Calgary Separate School Board since 2003.

Outside of her teaching, Heather has maintained a very busy performance schedule as a sought-after vocalist for the the past 15 years. A former member of the Youth Singers of Calgary, she is regularly asked to perform with varieties of vocal ensembles and live bands as well as to be solo-vocalist for several city-wide festivals, sporting and corporate events.

Heather is recently completed her 15th season as the Official National Anthem Singing Voice of our Calgary Flames.

Katrina Lee – Piano, Crescendo Kids

Katrina Lee began her classical training in piano at the age of 6 years old. A pupil of Dan Morin, Sonia Poon, and Simon Morin, her training was intensively classical and mainly through the Royal Conservatory of Toronto. Having completing her intermediate levels through the Royal Conservatory Examinations, she would later be successfully awarded First Class Honours with Distinction at the advanced level through Conservatory Canada.

Katrina has been very active in Calgary’s musical community for all of her life. Consistently receiving awards and recognition at the Kiwanis Music Festival throughout her studies, she continues to share her musical talent in her community. She regularly performs in community recitals, and has shared her musical talent as a volunteer pianist for the residents at Wentworth Manor since 2006.

Having extensive knowledge in music theory, Katrina was awarded the Theory Medal for the highest mark received in Alberta for the Theory 4 examination through Conservatory Canada, and would later be awarded 1st place (province-wide) in the Alberta Piano Teachers’ Association’s composition competition in 2004.

Katrina’s experience in teaching ranges through students of all ages, from beginner to adult. Regarding her teaching philosophy, Katrina writes:

“I strive to encourage students to meet their full musical potential by creating a comfortable atmosphere where they are free to learn at their own pace while gaining confidence to express themselves musically.

My goal is to help my students to harness their curiosity and passion for music in order to direct their learning, and I feel that it is essential that students enjoy their lessons while continuing to learn and develop.

I recognize that everyone has a unique learning style and I pride myself on my ability to tailor my teaching to each student’s individual needs. I enjoy incorporating many different methods in my teaching to help my students better understand musical expression and to reach their full potential.”

Devin Kwok – Piano, Clarinet, Theory and History

Composer, music teacher, pianist, and clarinetist, Devin Kwok received his Bachelor of Music (Honours Theory and Composition with distinction) from The University of Western Ontario, where he studied under Dr. Omar Daniel and Dr. Peter Paul Koprowski. As a pianist, he has taught students of diverse ages and abilities while accompanying soloists and choirs in Fort McMurray, and continues studying piano with Michael Angell. As clarinetist and bass clarinetist, he has performed with the Western University Wind Ensemble, Western University Symphony Orchestra, the Alberta Winds, and Keyano Theatre’s production of “Cabaret”. As a composer, Devin seeks to craft purposeful, elegant pieces for teaching and performance, and his music has been performed in Calgary.

Informed by a broad musical background, Devin approaches teaching through a firm foundation in physical fundamentals and efficient practise habits. As a musician, he constantly challenges students to articulate their musical goals with intellectual and emotional clarity. As a composer, his close knowledge of rudiments, history, harmony, and counterpoint guides students from a mechanistic application of music theory rules to a deeper understanding of their scientific, aesthetic, and historical origins. He believes the finest quality of a teacher is compassion, and welcomes every students in the firm belief that music education has the power to instill the greatest of human virtues: imagination and rigour.

Rachel Kreyner – Piano, Theory and History

Rachel Kreyner is a versatile performer, accompanist and piano teacher with nearly a decade of of experience teaching privately and accompanying for children’s musical-theatre and ballet schools as well as University of Calgary ensembles. An active collaborative artist, she accompanied the University of Calgary women’s chamber choir and the U of C orchestra in 2015, as well as being part of the U of C Klezmer band (the latter two directed and led by Professor Edmond Agopian). She has taken part in several collaborations with CPO-tenured instrumentalists, working with flautist Sarah Hahn, cellist David Morrissey and violinist Theresa Lane.

Rachel assists students with juries and entries in the RBC concerto competition yearly; among them, finalists Jonathan Gresl and Ana Angelovska and frequently performs in masterclasses held by the Honens and Pro Musica societies, as well as the ‘Happening’ concert series.

In 2013 she studied with renowned personalities like Rudolph Jansen and Anton Kuerti in the Mountainview Chamber Music Festival. Various Canadian teachers shaped her piano technique, most notably: Professor Marilyn Engle, Ann Davidson and Irena Ginzburg.

Holder of a Performer’s ARCT from the Royal Conservatory of Music and a combined Bachelor of Music (performance)/ English Honors degree from the University of Calgary, Rachel is continuing her Master’s in Performance at the University of Calgary with Professor Charles Foreman and studying jazz with Sheldon Zandboer. During her tenure at the University of Calgary, she has received a variety of awards including a grant from Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

Mila Hayes – Piano

A native Ukranian, Mila has been teaching for over 24 years having received her Bachelor and Master Degrees in Music from the Tchaikovsky National Academy of Music. She specialized in pedagogy, with extensive experience teaching young children as well as students at the advanced levels. Since immigrating to Canada in 2005 she has enjoyed teaching students of all ages and abilities.

Emily Haug – Piano, Theory and History

Emily studied with Peter Jancewicz and is a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music.She received her Bachelor of Music from the University of Calgary studying piano with Charles Foreman and Music History with Dr. Coelho and Dr. DeLong. Upon graduation, Emily went on to complete her Masters Degree in Historical Musicology from the University of British Columbia.

Ian Fundytus – Voice

Ian Fundytus is a graduate of the University of Lethbridge. A lover of music, Ian is from Okotoks and originally played trumpet before discovering his love of opera. Since pursuing his studies as a classical vocalist, Ian has been involved in many choirs, performing with the U of L Singers, The VoiceScapes Baroque Ensemble in Calgary and the Chinook Chamber singers in Lethbridge.

Sacred performances include appearances with the Lethbridge Symphony for Handel’s Messiah, Schubert’s Mass no.3 in B-flat and Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass. An active performer on the opera stage as well, Ian performed with the U of L Opera Workshop, singing in productions such as Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors (King Balthasar) and The Old Maid and the Thief (Bob), Strauss’ Die Fledermaus (Frank), and Mozart’s The Magic Flute(Papageno) and The Marriage of Figaro(Figaro). Ian has also performed with Opera NUOVA in their productions of Richard Strauss’ Ariadne Auf Naxos (Truffaldino) and Donizetti’s L’Elisir D’Amore(Dr. Dulcamara). Since relocating to Calgary, Ian has performed with the Cowtown Opera Company (Cowtown Cabaret, Popera, Archiebaldo, Secret Lives of Corporate Calgary, ‘Ella), Morpheus Theatre (Ruddigore – Robin Oakapple/Ruthven Murgatroyd) and Calgary Concert Opera (Cosi Fan Tutte – Guglielmo, La Gioconda – Zuane, A Pilot, A Singer). Ian has also performed across Canada, Including in Halifax (Susannah – Rev. Olin Blitch) and Prince George (Dr. Bartolo – Il Barbiere Di Siviglia).

Ian enjoys working with vocal students of all levels and ages, and believes that by learning effective and healthy technique students will be able to enjoy and perform all styles of music that interest them.

Joanna Franson – Piano

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Joanna Franson has had a lifelong love and fascination with music. She began her private studies at the age of 9yrs old with lessons with Wendy Wells and continued formal training into adulthood.

She enjoys studying and performing a wide range of repertoire in popular and classical genres, and has consistently received top honours in her formal Royal Conservatory examinations.

As a junior pedagogy instructor at Morin Music Studio, Joanna continues to pursue the completion of her ARCT through the Royal Conservatory of Music as well as her theory co-requisites. To supplement her formal instrumental training, she is active in teaching workshops and training through Morin Music Studio and is a current student of Simon Morin.

Joanna has nearly a decade of private teaching experience, and enjoys sharing her love of music with beginner-early intermediate students of all ages. In her teaching philosophy, she recognizes that each student has a unique way of learning and individual set of talents and goals and aims to adjust to each of her student’s needs.

Joanna believes in lifelong learning and believes in sharing her own experience as a student with her students as encouragement. She believes you are never too old to learn and music can challenge and excite you and bring creativity into every aspect of life.

Jocelyn Francescut – Voice, Piano

Soprano Jocelyn Francescut is returning to Calgary after completing a Masters of Music Degree in Voice Performance and Literature at Western University, where she studied with Jackalyn Short. During her time at Western she performed as Pamina in The Magic Flute and Dew Fairy in Hansel and Gretel. Other roles include Maria in West Side Story, Musetta (understudy) in La Bohѐme, and Sister Catherine in Dead Man Walking.

Jocelyn began piano lessons at the age of 5, reaching the advanced level in practical examinations through the Royal Conservatory of Music. Throughout her high school years, she was involved in Concert Band and Wind Ensemble where she played flute, as well as Concert Choir and Vocal Jazz. Jocelyn has attended many prestigious training programs including the Centre for Opera Studies in Italy, Canadian Operatic Arts Academy, Opera NUOVA, and Cowtown Opera Summer Academy.
Jocelyn is a passionate and dedicated pedagogue, and believes in building a well-rounded performer. She hopes that she can inspire every student to love music as much as she does!

Sherry Ebnjalal – Piano

Sherry Ebnjalal has been teaching piano privately for over 15 years in Tehran, Dubai and Toronto before moving to Calgary. Receiving her classical training and teacher certification in Tehran, she is highly experienced working with students of all ages and levels. She is much loved for her patience, creativity, and commitment to her students and believes in continuing her own studies and artistic development.

As well as maintaining a busy teaching schedule, Sherry also accompanies choirs in Calgary. A passionate music lover, she believes that learning and enjoying music benefits people by improving their mental strength and their confidence in their own abilities.

Heather Byford – Piano, Voice

Heather began her musical training as a young beginner at the age of only three years old. As a young student, she excelled while pursuing the Royal Conservatory of Music piano program for both piano and voice, and reached the advanced level in both of her disciplines. Augmenting her examination focus through RCM, she was also quite active singing in school choirs and local performing arts festivals

In her post-secondary studies, Heather attained a Bachelor of Music degree majoring in vocal performance from the University of Lethbridge, where she studied with Dr. Sandra Stringer. During this time she was actively involved with the U of L Women’s Chorus and the Opera Workshop program, and some of her favourite experiences included her regular perforamnce opportunities as well as showcasing her own compositions to her peers.

Following her undergraduate studies, Heather maintained a busy private teaching studio in her hometown of Cranbrook BC where she also began teaching Ballet Barre classes. Her experiences in teaching in other areas reinforced her belief that practicing fine arts leads to improved concentration, discipline, and self-confidence.

Heather’s teaching philosophy is that all students have great potential, and should be given the opportunity to learn music and enjoy the benefits that music creates in other areas of life. She believes that the ideal teacher should be flexible enough to tailor lessons to the student’s interests while intuitively broadening the student’s interests and ability.

Although Heather’s passion and experiences are in classical music, she emphasizes that this classical technique allows her students the skills to be successful any genres of music that they wish to explore. She believes that a strong footing in classical technique is valuable and transferrable to all genres of music, and above all her favourite part of teaching is seeing her students gain confidence.

Heather spends her spare time practicing yoga, enjoying the outdoors, and composing music. She feels incredibly fortunate to have a life filled with music and to be able to make her passion into her career. She has been very lucky to work with many inspiring teachers and looks forward to sharing her passion with her own students, as well as continually advancing in her own musical education.

Yunfan Bai – Piano, Suzuki Piano

Yunfan Bai began her classical piano training in China at the age of 3. Excelling and showing great promise as a young student, Yunfan progressed quickly and graduated from the Grade 10 Conservatory level in China at the age of only 10 years old.

A very active musician and performer in China, Yunfan consistently received top awards and recognition as a student while also building a class of students as a young teacher.

In post-secondary, Yunfan began her studies in Canada in the Bachelor of Music Program at the University of Lethbridge. Under the tutelage of Deanna Oye, she was regularly chosen to perform for visiting guest artists and clinicians from across Canada and Europe while also maintaining a busy performance schedule as the pianist for the University’s Choral program.

Yunfan was one of few performers chosen for Calgary’s Esther Honens Masterclass Program, and in 2012 she was awarded first prize in the Provincial-National Music Festival. Yunfan is currently completing her Bachelors Degree in Music at the University of Calgary, studying under Professor Charles Foreman.

As an instructor, Yunfan is experience and knowledgeable in Suzuki philosophy and also enjoys working with students working towards Royal Conservatory examinations as well as recreational learning. She is a successful graduate of the Suzuki Pedagogy Practicum Program, and is a registered Suzuki Piano instructor with the Suzuki Association of the Americas.

Regarding her teaching philosophy, Yunfan believes that enjoyment is at the root of the international language of Music. She encourages students to pursue all styles of music that interests them, and is focused to ensure that her students receive a solid foundation for all future musical studies. Placing a great value on proper classical training, her main goal is that her students will truly love the experience of creating and sharing their music.

Dr. Geoff Wilson – Program Director – Piano, Guitar

A native of Vancouver, Geoff has been playing piano and guitar for nearly 30 years. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Calgary, where he studied piano with Charles Foreman and theory with William Jordan. He completed a Ph. D in musicology at the University of British Columbia in 2007, studying with Vera Micznik, William Benjamin and Richard Kurth. In addition to teaching piano, guitar and music theory privately and with studios in Calgary and Vancouver since 1993, he spent the past 6 years teaching music theory, history, composition and piano at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. His research on the intersection of music, art, literature and culture has been presented at conferences across North America.

As a specialist in advanced theory and history, Geoff stresses the relationship between academic subjects and performance. Understanding how the music works and the historical eras in which it was created makes it much easier to memorize and interpret music effectively.

Dan Morin, Senior Instructor – Piano

Dan Morin has been teaching piano in Calgary for over 35 years and is very pleased to be joining the Faculty of Morin Music Studio. An established member of Calgary’s musical community, his students have excelled and reached recognition across Canada having won in competitions at the local, provincial and national levels. Having studied under the guidance of Peter Turner, he is an associate of the Mount Royal University Conservatory as well as the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Mr. Morin was one of the coordinators of Honens inaugural year as an International Piano competition, and has acted as fundraiser and coordinator for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. In support of his students, he has also been integral in several media productions that serve to feature and highlight outstanding young Canadian musicians.

As an instructor, he is highly experienced with young beginners and believes that a solid foundation in a student’s earliest years are integral to their long term enjoyment and success. Many of his students have proceeded to professional careers in music both as performers and teachers, and he believes it most rewarding to know that his students will enjoy a lifelong love of music.

Please note that students are accepted by audition only.

Charles Foreman- Senior Instructor – Piano

Pianist Charles Foreman was born near Chicago, where he was a scholarship student of Rudolph Reuter at the American Conservatory. His undergraduate degree, awarded with high distinction, is from Indiana University, where he studied piano with Abbey Simon and Joseph Battista and conducting with Julius Herford and Fiora Contino. He also holds the Artist Diploma and Master of Music degrees from the University of Toronto, where he studied with Anton Kuerti and Katharina Wolpe. Foreman has done postgraduate work with William Aide, and also at the Juilliard School with Abbey Simon.

Foreman made his debut in 1972 with the Chicago Civic Orchestra conducted by David Gilbert, playing the Brahms B-flat Concerto. Since then, he has won prizes in Canadian and U.S. piano competitions, received two Canada Council grants for study and performance in Europe, performed over 30 times with orchestras in North America (including eight repeat engagements with the Calgary Philharmonic), under conductors such as Edmond Agopian, Mario Bernardi, Boris Brott, Rolf Bertsch, Stephen Franse, Stewart Grant, Arpad Joo, and Gerhardt Zimmermann, and played over 700 solo and chamber recitals in Austria, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Canada, and the U.S. He has been equally praised for his superb musicianship, his formidable technique, his vast repertoire, and his imaginative programming. He has premiered works by composers as diverse as Istvan Anhalt, George Crumb, Stewart Grant, Oskar Morawetz, Violet Archer, Gerhard Wuensch, and William Jordan. His multi-faceted career has included professional broadcasting, professional acting, musical direction, and arts administration.

Professor of piano at the University of Calgary from 1973 – 2009, Foreman also served at various times as Assistant Dean of Fine Arts and as Head of the Performance Area, and he held key roles in establishing the Department of Music’s innovative master classes and in founding the University’s Celebration Series. His close ties with virtually every arts organization in Alberta as well as many national and international institutions have made him sought-after as a giver of master classes and workshops, and as a juror. His students continue to win prizes in local, regional, national and international competitions. Foreman was a Visiting Scholar at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 2002, and, since 2008, is a faculty member of the Mount Royal University Conservatory. He was appointed Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of Calgary in May, 2010.

As a chamber musician, Charles Foreman has performed repeatedly with artists such as Edmond Agopian, Robert Aitken, Allison Angelo, Donald Bell, Jeremy Brown, James Campbell, Karen Cargill, Jonathan Crow, Stephen Dann, Yegor Dyachkov, Anthony Elliott, Lea Foli, Phil Hansen, Phyllis Mailing, Jason Nedecky, János Négyesy, Wendy Nielsen, Päivikki Nykter, Per Øien, Anita Dusevic Oliva, Carol Plantamura, Gerald Stanick, Olivier Thouin, Kathleen van Mourik, Carol Wincenc, and Tanya Dusevic Witek. In 1982, he won the Canada Music Council Award for best recorded chamber music with Aitken and Øien. He was a founding member of the Shawnigan Trio from 1990 to 1998, concertizing extensively in Germany to rave reviews, and making two recordings for Antes Edition.

Indeed, Foreman’s discography is continually growing, and includes four solo albums and five duo albums (with violinist Edmond Agopian, baritone Donald Bell, saxophonist Jeremy Brown, pianist Kathleen van Mourik, and flautist Tanya Dusevic Witek). In addition, Foreman has appeared as both artist and host on radio and television stations in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

He began a cycle of the complete works of Chopin for solo piano in the fall of 2006, and became the first Canadian pianist ever to complete the cycle in March, 2009. In 2001, Foreman concluded his “Sounds of a Century” project, ten recitals of twentieth-century piano music, one for each decade. He completed his – and Calgary’s – first cycle of the thirty-two Beethoven piano sonatas in 2005, to sold-out houses and standing ovations. He is also currently Artistic Director of the Mountain View International Festival of Song, Canada’s first summer music workshop and festival to focus primarily on art song, and of the Mountain View Connection, Calgary’s only concert series dedicated to presenting young professional classical musicians in recital. Charles Foreman will complete his performances of the complete cycle of Beethoven Piano Sonatas for the second time in 2016 for Mountain View.

Stella Arcega – Office Manager

Stella Arcega is passionate about the arts and is an active chorister in Calgary. Stella retired from a successful project management career in the oilpatch to pursue personal interests including family, art and travel. Stella enjoys practicing yoga, taking long walks and spending time with her grandchildren and family.

Stella earned a Bachelor of Commerce With Distinction as a young mother and encourages her children’s pursuit of their own educational, personal and business interests.

Carmen Morin- Owner/Executive Director – Piano

Having begun her piano study at the age of two with her father Dan Morin, Ms. Morin has been an active member of Calgary’s musical community for all of her life.

First performing as a soloist with orchestra at the age of 10, she has been featured several times as guest soloist with orchestras in Canada, as well as to represent the Canadian Embassy in a performance tour of Mexico showcasing Canadian talent.

As a young musician, Ms. Morin consistently received top honours in competition at the municipal, provincial and national levels and has been awarded numerous medals for the highest marks received in Alberta on practical piano examinations from the Royal Conservatory of Toronto.

Ms. Morin studied with Dmitry Nesterov at Mount Royal University obtaining her Diploma in Music Performance, and later under the tutelage of Marilyn Engle in the Bachelor of Music program at the University of Calgary. She completed the Suzuki Pedagogy Practicum with Merlin Thompson and later received certification as a Suzuki Early Childhood instructor from Dorothy and Sharon Jones. She holds her ARCT in Piano Performance from and is certified as an Advanced Specialist in Piano instruction by the Royal Conservatory of Music.

With over fifteen years of teaching experience, Ms. Morin was a faculty member of Mount Royal University’s Conservatory from 2008-2014. She maintains her role as a dedicated Pedagogue in Calgary, and her students are consistently awarded top honours in the city’s local music festivals and from the Royal Conservatory of Toronto. She maintains a busy schedule as a guest clinician and adjudicator for various Music Festivals and Workshops in Canada, and is an alumna of such international programs as the World Piano Meeting in Coimbra, Portugal.

In her teaching philosophy, Carmen writes:

“It is the character development in my students as well as the joy of connecting to others through music that is at the forefront of my teaching philosophy. The long-term discipline of classical music study is a process that cultivates values, and creates a foundation that students will continue to benefit from in whatever they choose to pursue in their lives.

I believe music to be the most human form of expression, and that knowledge and understanding of music is integral to a well-rounded education. To foster strong work habits in my students while also unlocking the powerful language of music is the goal in my teaching.

By using the study of music as a means to develop perseverance, self-confidence, attention to detail and effective learning habits, students work through challenges to better understand the importance of their consistent hard work as well as poise through both successes and failures.

To instil such values in my students while also passing along to them the invaluable tools of musical expression is an incredibly rewarding experience, and a role that I feel privileged to have as teacher to my students and their families.”